What Will Be New and Different in Ladue & Frontenac in 2013?

Correction: The donation for the new MICDS Math & Science building came from the Danforth family, not the Danforth Foundation. Patch regrets this error.

Ah, as your trustworthy Ladue-Frontenac Patch editor, it seems time to look into that crystal ball and see what is going to happen in 2013.

A pox on those who say nothing ever happens in Ladue or Frontenac.

Here’s some Patchy items heading into the New Year.

The Ladue School District will get a new Superintendent. Now that’s earth-shaking. Marsha Chappelow wrapped up a 40 year teaching/supervisory career and headed to Kansas City the very end of November. She asked for, and received her full pay and benefits, though she will be only available for consulting the last seven months of her agreement.

Ladue is very tight-lipped about the names of candidates that might replace her.

Ladue Horton Watkins High School will get a new principal. Now that’s a no brainer. Bridget Hermann announced her resignation several months back to pursue future interests. Seems she was spending half of every day writing reports to the administration, justifying her actions on behalf of the high school. As she concluded, “enough is enough.”

The City of Ladue will get a new fire chief. Seems a neighboring fire chief was spotted on Ladue City property, visiting with the city manager. Maybe, he was just passing out Christmas cookies? It will be interesting to see who will head up Ladue’s efforts to build two new fire houses.

Ladue will be getting a new mayor. Anthony Bommarito called it quits, serving just one term at the head of the council. 

Alderwoman Nancy Spewak is the only candidate to file for the April 2 election so far. Spewak is a Ladue High parent, successful business woman, long time resident of Ladue and veteran of council debates. She would serve the city well as the new mayor.

Busch’s Groves will be rocking again. Dee Dee and Andy Kohn, entrepreneurs extraordinaire will reopen the aged building as Edge Wild Fine Wine Restaurant. It will not be a reincarnation of Busch’s Grove.

Rather, a very long bar will feature beers and wines from around the World and a host of light sandwiches, salads, appetizers and the like. A new concept for dining is coming to Ladue.

Colonial MarketPlace will be the new eastern entrance to the city. DESCO is developing property at Ladue and Gay Avenue, connecting to the Schnuck's Center in Ladue Crossing. Snazzy new shops, dineries will join the handful of existing tenants to mark a new entrance to Ladue.

Frontenac Plaza will seek a new tenant. After 20 years of business, Graphic Traffic will close forever. January 5 is the final day.The chic, funky shop sold all kinds of interesting items to young and old alike. The owner said it was just too difficult running a store from Carmel, CA.

Where did the Fur Center go? They are off to a downsized location in Clayton after umpteen years along Lindbergh Boulevard. Seems fur sales are not what they used to be.

St. Joseph’s Academy and Villa Duchesne will get new leaders. Sr. Pat Dunphy is stepping down as principal at St. Joe, and Sr. Lucie Nordmann will retire after a lengthy career as Head of School at Villa and Oak Hill. Both served their school communities with great distinction.

Development will come to Frontenac. Reliance Bank is trying to latch onto that high traffic coveted corner at Lindbergh and Clayton Road while the 19 acre tract of land for the old Wright School/Ladue Early Childhood Center along Clayton Road is under study for new development.

Land will finally be developed at Conway and Lindbergh. The Brodsky family has finally sold that massive tract of land, held in the family more than 50 years. Many deals have been proposed for that corner, and it looks like Ladue will approve high end residential development. Many other plans over the years were turned back.

MICDS and Burroughs will get new structures. Burroughs is well on its way to completing the $30 million dollar campus project complete with both field house, performing arts center and expansive greenway space connecting the new structures.

MICDS is just getting into construction of its $21 million dollar state-of-the-art Math and Science Center, thanks to the generosity of the Danforth family foundation.

So there you have it. All kinds of progress and change is headed to Ladue and Frontenac, all coming directly from my Patch.com crystal ball.